SHANMUGAM IAS ACADEMY

Sunday, February 9, 2014

IUCN Red List of Birds

Accordingto International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN) red list of birds, the information contained in the IUCN
Red list version 2013.

indicates that 15 species of birds from India are
critically endangered. This was stated by Dr. M.Veerappa Moily, Union
Minister for Environment and Forests, The details of the bird species
reported from India which is given below :-

Details of bird species
reported from India which are listed as Critically Endangered in IUCN Red List
version 2013.2

1.Baer`s
Pochard-Aythyabaeri

2.Forest
Owlet-Heteroglauxblewitti

3.Great
Indian Bustard-Ardeotisnigriceps

4.Bengal
Florican-Houbaropsisbengalensis

5.Siberian
Crane-Grusleucogeranus

6.Spoon-billed
Sandpiper-Eurynorhynchuspygmeus

7.Sociable
Lapwing-Vanellusgregarius

8.Jerdon`s
Courser-Rhinoptilusbitorquatus

9.White
backed Vulture-Gyps bengalensis

10.Red-headed
Vulture-Sarcogypscalvus

11.White-bellied
Heron-Ardeainsignis

12.Slender-billed
Vulture-Gyps tenuirostris

13.Indian
Vulture-Gyps indicus

14.Himalayan
Quail-Ophrysiasuperciliosa

15.Pink-headed
Duck-Rhodonessacaryophyllacea

The major reasons for decline in the
population of birds are: loss, modification, fragmentation and degradation of
habitat, environmental contaminants, poaching, land use changes particularly conversion
of large areas to intensive crop cultivation, changes in cropping pattern
due to various reasons including implementation of irrigation schemes,
increased pesticide usage and livestock-grazing, high levels of disturbance,
developmental activities like mining and hydel projects. Threats posed by infrastructure
development, such as collisions with vehicles, power-lines and wind turbines,
further exacerbate the situation.

The
Minister further stated that the steps taken by Government for conservation of
remaining habitats in wet lands, grass lands and forests and river line across
the country and species dependent on them are given below.

1.Financial and Technical assistance is
provided to State/Union Territory Governments for protection and Management of
Protected Areas as well as other forests under Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

2.
India is signatory to several major international conventions relating to
conservation and management of wildlife, including endangered species of birds.
These are, Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Convention on the Conservation of
Migratory Species of Wild Animals and the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

3.
The Central Government has enacted the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
for protection of wildlife including birds. The Act, inter alia, provides for
creation of Protected Areas for protection of wild life and also provides for
punishment for hunting of specified fauna including birds specified in the
schedules I to IV thereof. Important habitats of birds have been notified as
Protected Areas under the Act

4.
Wetland (Conservation and Management)Rules 2010 have been framed for protection
of wetlands, in the States, which are habitats of birds. The Centrally
Sponsored Scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-System also
provides assistance to the States for management of wet lands including Ramsar
sites in the country.

5.
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been established for control of illegal trade
in wildlife, including endangered species of birds and their parts and
products.

6.Research and monitoring activities on
birds are promoted by the Government through reputed research organizations.
Wildlife Institute of India, Bombay Natural History society and Salim Ali
Centre for Ornithology and Natural History are some of the research
organizations undertaking research on conservation of birds.

7.The Indian Government has banned the
veterinary use of diclofenac drug that has caused rapid population
decline of Gyps vulture across the Indian Subcontinent. Conservation
Breeding Programmes to conserve these vulture species have been initiated at
Pinjore (Haryana), Buxa (West Bengal) and Rani, Guwahati (Assam) by the Bombay
Natural History Society.